1st time visit....what to expect?

[DLM1980]

Every February my partner and I fly out to Las Vegas for a week. This coming year we were tossing ideas instead of Vegas, one was a Disney cruise, the other was going to Disneyland. It sounds like we are now settling on 5 days in Vegas with 2 at Disneyland.

Never been to Disneyland so I'm wondering what to expect, is there a must do food place, are reservations needing to be made. Is 2 days enough? Are there "perks" for Disney hotels vs staying at a good neighbor hotel?

What's the nearest airport flying delta? trying to find out if it's reasonable to either fly home from lax or drive back to Vegas and then leave from there.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Geemo]

If you haven't been to DLR, I recommend more than 2 days.
Most feel a min of 3 days is good start for a newby. I myself like four day hopper tickets for a trip.
The on-site perks are something you'll have to decide if they are worth the cost. The main perk is EE (Early Entry) each day.
With a pre-purchased 3+ day ticket you'll receive one MM (Magic Morning) to Disneyland on Tue, Thurs and Sat. Park tickets purchased at the DLR ticket booths do not include a MM.

Staying off-site is far less money. When you begin to check on the rates you'll see the difference.
For a Dec trip I can get a standard room (2Q) at Disney's PPH 3 nights total $1069.
While I can get a (2Q) room at the Tropicana on Harbor the same 3 nights for a total of $417.
The walk from the Tropicana will be shorter than PPH. It's by no means fancy but I only need a place to shower and sleep.

Jet Blue had flights from SNA to Vegas for $49 the other day.

Geemo

 

[Mividadisney]

We stayed 3 days our first time to DL. Personally, I would not recommend doing park hopper for a first timer. Give a full day to each park and focus on everything in that one park then the next day do it again at the other park. We did this and was able to ride every single ride and watch every parade and show.

Expect lots of crowds
Waiting
And make sure to bring comfy shoes.
stay on site if you can the perk for us is early entry and also less walking.
Try to go during the week instead a weekend if you can.

 

[Butterfly123]

Two days will give you a great time, but to really explore and enjoy the parks I would say you need a minimum of three days, with four being better. Will you be there on weekdays or over the weekend? Hours and entertainment schedule may vary. Fantasmic will be down for refurb, but the PtN parade, fireworks, and WOC should not be missed!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

five days is always the best but you could do 3 or 4 if you had too but 2 isn't enough in my ho.

 

[DLM1980]

I don't know what to do, we thought maybe a two day after Vegas or before, but pricing out a package for two days in February (sometime between the 22-29) is almost half of what I spent for 7 days at The World two weeks ago.

My partner said he would look to see what kind of discounted rates he can get for Hilton hotels through his job and then we would just buy tickets for Disneyland separately.

 

[ArchOwl]

Are you pricing packages for the onsite hotels? They are much more expensive than at WDW, mainly because there are only three of them.

If cost is a concern, staying offsite is done quite a lot. I would look into the hotels right across the street on Harbor. They are about a 10 minute walk and much cheaper than on site. And then just buy your tickets separately. There is usually no cost savings by booking through Disney. Shop around and you can usually find a good deal. Good luck!

 

[Butterfly123]

We never stay on site, we stay right across the street on Harbor, usually at Best Western Park Place Inn & Mini Suites. There are many motels right on that strip that are a very short walking distance. Staying off site means more money for more days in the parks...that works for us!

 

[DLM1980]

I looked at both on and off property, as soon as I saw Hampton Inn I abandoned on site to see what I could afford. Until my partner starts looking for even more of a discounted rate, I think I'm also abandoning hope of visiting Disneyland during this trip. Our vegas trip tends to be a cheap cheap trip. My room is usually comped or under $30 a night, the food is usually paid with rewards credits from using my Total Rewards Visa card over the year, the only real expense is my gambling which is covered by my tax refund (which isn't much)

I'm not sure I really want to spend an additional $1000+ just to see where it all started. I think we are still coming off our World High and now reality or my wallet (you choose) is hitting us in the face.

 

[taniahappy]

Aaaaah Vegas and DL, my favorite places in the world ...

• I would do DL before Vegas, because Vegas.
• If money is not an issue at all than do a Disney Hotel if it kinda is just book somewhere close enough and walk to/from, there a lot of great options
• If this is you first visit I would do a min of 3 days, 5 would be perfect. You need to visit Disney California Adventure also and that is a lot of rides/parades/shows/food to do in just 2 days
• Make reservations for ANY seat-down meal you want to do, I highly recommend Carthay Circle for dinner, maybe a drink or two before at their lounge... perfection